Eddie Wilkinson has kept his faith in Muirfield as he and trainer Mike Moroney attempt back-to-back wins in the Caloundra Cup.
Muirfield ran seventh behind Anagold in the Ipswich Cup but Wilkinson was pleased with his effort.
"A few things went against him but overall I thought he ran well," Wilkinson said.
"The pace of the race didn't suit him when they slowed up in the middle stages and I thought he did a good job to keep finding the line."
Wilkinson said Muirfield found it difficult to adjust to the tight-turning Ipswich track and his racing pattern would be better suited to the spacious Sunshine Coast course.
"He was a little bit lost around Ipswich but his last 150 metres was good once he got balanced up and into the clear," he said.
"The step up to 2400 metres will be better as well. He ran second in the Warrnambool Cup over 2350 metres so the trip won't be a problem."
Wilkinson and Moroney combined to win the 2012 Caloundra Cup with Shenzhou Steeds who ran second to Rialya in the Tattersall's Cup on Saturday.
Although Wilkinson rode Shenzhou Steeds in the Tattersall's Cup he said he would prefer to remain aboard Muirfield at the Sunshine Coast.
He will ride the Brian Smith-trained Meet George in next week's sprint, the Glasshouse Handicap.
Meet George ran second to Woorim in the 2011 Glasshouse and was a creditable fourth to Belltone last year.
He tuned up for his next attempt at the race with a second to Conservatorium in the Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich.
"He hasn't lost his zest for racing. He's just a great old warhorse," Smith said.
"His lead-up form this year has been terrific and he's done a treat since the Eye Liner."
Smith is confident Za Magic will race well in the Caloundra Cup after his solid third in the Ipswich Cup.
"He's never been better and the Ipswich Cup has topped him off for his next run at Caloundra," Smith said.